Legality of White LED's in headlights?
Turbo Mini Forums

Hi,

There's a new(ish) very high output LED lamp available called the Ostar-

http://www.ebv.com/en/products/products_hi...r_lighting.html

I'm thinking that this may be bright enough to use in place of a filament lamp in headlamps for a non-mini related project.

I really need to free up some power,as the car I'm dealing with only has a dynamo generator capable of 130watts max. output (inpractical to retrofit an alternator).

Does anyone know if this is legal, potential MOT failure etc.?

Thanks

Andy

Ha, ha I remember VW 6 volt electrics. My Dad had a 1950's split Type 2, and the lights were terrible. Used to be a regular candidate for a bump start too! Low volt electrics grrr.

Yes this is for the bubble car, which always had 12 volt Bosch electrics, except for the lighting, which was Lucas (urggh).

The dynamo is a combined starter and dynamo called a dynastart. It mounts directly to the camshaft on a taper, so it's part of the flywheel.

Hence not an easy part to substitute.

Actually I've calculated that if I replace the rear lamps/brake lights, indicators and number plate lamp and sidelights, I'll free up more than enough power for the injection.

It's mainly the fuel pump that's the hungry beast, which draws a healthy 24 watts.

I just kind of like the idea of making all the lighting LED.

Will be on the cover of Max Power yet, Bling!

Andy

id say theyd be no good in a headlamp as it will knacker the beam pattern up.

no longer a series, but still 1.3 turbo.

Could you not mount a belt driven alternator somewhere perhaps?

Tom,

I've only got 13 bananas to play with, and about the same amount of curly wurlys.

I reckon a belt mounted alternator would sap a bit more of my meagre power.

As I said, I have already found my needed extra watts with replacement of the other lamps. So the idea of LED headlamps is just me throwing an idea about.

LED headlamps will be a reality very soon in new cars. However, from what I've read up about them, they won't necessarily be single point of source, you may have lots of little lights, or perhaps a large light bar across the front. May look a little strange, and the poor old hedgehogs are going to get confused!

I've seen modern Mercs and Beamers using LED's for indicator and rear lights.

Andy

I didn't necessarily say belt drive it off the engine, you could have an alternator belt driven from a non driven wheel for example to assist the dynamo fitted to the engine whilst travelling along.

Well, there are three wheels on my wagon, and they're isn't any space for mounting an alternator on the front wheels.

Not to worry, I've found out what I needed to know- they are legal regarding use as fron lights. Whether or not they chuck out enough light to be useful has yet to be confirmed, although things look good on paper at leats.

Andy

what about HIDlamps (excuse the pun) tis my understanding they have relatively low power consumption apart from at startup.

turbo 16v k-series 11.9@118.9 :)

Denis O'Brien.

also what about fitting an alternator and making a we circuit so it disconects at full throttle leavin geverything runnin gon teh battrty? yeah your cruise fuel economy will suffer, but on the flip side you will have much more electrical juice :)

turbo 16v k-series 11.9@118.9 :)

Denis O'Brien.

I.ve used those led's at work, theyre a bit funny,really they need to be run from a constant current source and be well heatsinked or they thermally runaway.

are they not also disgustingly expensive?, remember pricing up some for a porject about 6 months or so ago.

turbo 16v k-series 11.9@118.9 :)

Denis O'Brien.

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Velocity-LEDs_W0Q...sQ3amesstQQtZkm

Edited by Andymini on 17th Apr, 2006.